T.N. set to be punished through restructuring of MGNREGS, says Stalin

Strongly opposing the proposed renaming and changes in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday charged the BJP-led Union government was intending to abolish the programme.

“That too, instead of allocating 100% funds, it seems they would allocate only 60% of the funds henceforth,” he said in a social media post. Mr Stalin contended Tamil Nadu was even more set “to be punished” through the proposed change, since it has earned the tag of having overcome poverty and the benefits under the programme to the people of the State would be less.

He urged for dropping the proposal to restructure the programme through the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB- G RaM G) Bill.

Mr. Stalin charged: “The Union BJP government is intending to abolish a programme which protected several crore people from the clutches of poverty and helped them in leading a dignified life.” Contending this Bill shall face the opposition like in the three farms laws and Caste Census, Mr. Stalin said: “The people will make you walk back on your efforts to dismantle MGNREGA.”

According to Mr. Stalin, the Bill was an attempt to defeat the 100 day employment programme named after Mahatma Gandhi. He further criticised the BJP-led Union government for removing Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the programme replacing it with a “North Indian” name.